Funnel assembly for making powdered beverage

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. The funnel assembly may include an insert that is retained in the funnel assembly to contain a powdered or other similar substance for mixing with liquid within the insert. The insert is configured to extend within a cavity of the funnel assembly and is configured to permit mixing of the substance with the liquid before dispensing the mixture into a portion of the funnel assembly. The insert may include a rim or liquid shield, with at least a portion of the rim or liquid shield engaging a portion of the funnel assembly to retain the insert within the funnel assembly. The insert may further include a flow guide adjacent a drainage aperture, the flow guide at least partially directing the flow of mixture from the insert into a portion of the funnel assembly. The funnel assembly may alternatively itself be formed to contain a powdered or similar substance and permit mixing of the substance with liquid before dispensing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/804,583, filed Feb. 28, 2020, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/457,646, filed Mar. 13, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,646,065), which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/308,081, filed Mar. 14, 2016, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/384,793, filed Sep. 8, 2016, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/381,453, filed Aug. 30, 2016. The disclosures setforth in the referenced applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a beverage preparation apparatus, suchas brewers and components for combining a beverage making substance witha heated substance such as water to produce a beverage.

A variety of brewing equipment is available for brewing fresh tea andcoffee beverages using fresh beverage brewing substances such as groundcoffee or whole leaf or leaf particle tea. These brewers typicallyinclude a beverage brewing funnel assembly that can be selectivelypositioned on a beverage brewing machine. In this configuration, thebrewing funnel assembly includes a funnel body that retains a filter,typically in the form of a disposable paper filter or a permanent filtermade of another material that is more durable such as plastic or metalmesh. Beverage brewing substance is loaded into the filter of the funnelassembly and attached to the brewer.

Typically, the funnel includes a flange or a lip around an upper portionof the funnel body that can be mounted to the brewer by use of a pair ofopposing channel structures, commonly referred to as “rails”. Once thefunnel flange is positioned between the brewer rails, the brewer can beactivated to initiate the brewing process. Once activated, heated wateris controllably dispensed into the funnel via an opening at leastpartially defined by the lip of the funnel body from the brewer. Theheated water is dispensed to saturate the beverage brewing substancewith heated water to extract the flavors of the beverage brewingsubstance, or desired flavors and characteristics of the resultantbeverage. The heated water and beverage brewing substance is mixedwithin a cavity defined by the filter material. During the brewingprocess, brewed beverage seeps through the filter material and collectsin a lower portion of the funnel below the filter material. A drain holeis provided in a lower portion of the funnel, either centrally or offsetfrom the center. An optional channel may extend from the drain hole todirect the beverage substance to a certain position for dispensing intoa container. A user then positions the container below the drain tocollect the freshly brewed beverage flowing from the funnel.

Brewers as described above are generally well known, widely used, anddistributed throughout the food service industry. These brewers may belocated in institutional settings, convenience stores, offices,restaurants as well as other food service settings. This relativelylarge installed base of equipment results in a large number of users whoknow how to operate the equipment. These brewers are configured forbrewing freshly brewed beverages from beverage brewing substances.However, these brewers typically cannot accommodate other beveragemaking substances such as powders or other non-brewing substances.

For example, it would be useful to use this type of brewing equipment toproduce beverages from other substances such as powdered beveragesubstances. While a variety of machines are designed for makingbeverages from powder, they are typically machines specifically designedof use with powders. As an example, many of these machines have beencreated to dispense a portion of powder for mixing with heated water andblending using a mechanical whipping device. Common types of beveragesproduced using this type of equipment might include hot chocolate,coffee mocha beverages, latter, other dairy based, coffee based,combined dairy and coffee, as well as soup beverages or food products.All of these types of beverage products are served hot because of hotwater mixed with the powdered beverage, thoroughly whipped in themachine, and dispensed into a container or single serving cup. All ofthese beverages or foods typically are compatible to a whipping actionin the product since it is expected or at least acceptable that theproduct may include some degree of froth. All of these heated productsbenefit from the whipping to thoroughly dissolve or integrate thepowdered beverage ingredients or material with water. This integrationthoroughly combines the powdered components of the beverage or foodproduct such as dried dairy ingredients, freeze dried coffee, as well asgranular or finely powdered sugar.

A problem arises if a food or beverage product is not conducive towhipping or is not served as a hot beverage or food. For example, theproduction of fruit-based beverages is typically served chilled orcooled. It would not be conducive to the production of such a beverageto use hot water to make the beverage to dissolve the flavor and sugarcomponents in the final beverage. Additionally, such beverages aretypically not served in a whipped condition. For example, if a portionor a large multi-serving container of lemonade were to be produced itwould be desirable to produce the lemonade in a chilled or at leastreduced temperature state. Furthermore, it is not desirable to have awhipped or frothed portion of the resultant juice-type beverage.

SUMMARY

For the foregoing reasons, it would be beneficial to develop a beveragemaking system that can utilize components of numerous installed and wellunderstood beverage brewers to produce non-brewed beverages.Furthermore, it would be beneficial to use existing beverage makingequipment to produce beverages that are not conducive to whipping orother mechanical mixing and integration of ingredients. It would bebeneficial to develop apparatus and processes for utilizing knownbeverage making substances such as powdered juice or other beverages tobe served at ambient or reduced temperatures using the generalprinciples of known beverage making equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a brewing funnel assembly for usewith an exemplary beverage brewing apparatus, and although the specificapparatus is not shown, this funnel assembly can be used with a beveragebrewing apparatus for producing iced tea, including an offset outletportion and a partially conical wall defining a cavity therein;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the funnel assembly shown in FIG. 1that has been rotated slightly to show interior portions of a funnelbody, revealing a cavity defined by a surrounding wall, and including anexemplary embodiment of a powdered beverage making insert positionedwithin the cavity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the insert of FIG. 2 removedfrom the funnel body and illustrating a side wall of the insert that isgenerally configured for engagement with the funnel body, a rim at a topedge of the side wall defining a mouth that provides access to abeverage making basin defining a volume used for combining water and atleast partially-powdered or pulverized beverage making substance, adrain hole provided in a floor of the insert, and a mesh or other grateor other flow-restricting and particle-retaining structure in or atleast overlying the drain hole;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the funnel assemblyas shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a cross section through a portion ofthe insert as shown in FIG. 3 , generally indicating the combination ofheated water from the beverage making apparatus combining with powderedor at least partially-granular material used to produce the flavors andother characteristics of the beverage when combined with the water, andshowing the outflow of freshly produced beverage from and through thedrain opening and exiting the funnel through the offset outlet portion;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional perspective view of the insertremoved from FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to the cross section shown in FIG. 4 showingthe insert on top of and covering ribs extending from a floor of thefunnel body, the insert preventing the retention or trapping of powderedmaterial in areas such as the intersection of the rib and funnel floorwhich might otherwise trap some of these particles, wherein the trappedparticles may possibly combine with the next batch of tea or otherbeverage being produced that is not intended to have the flavor of thepreviously produced beverage, for example lemonade, and therebypreventing flavor crossover;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodimentof a powdered beverage making insert and illustrating the insertincludes an off-set drain hole in a floor of the insert, with a mess orother grate/flow restricting structure in or overlying the off-set drainhole;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the insert of FIG. 7 being receivedwithin a funnel body and illustrating that the off-set drain hole can beconfigured to be positioned over a channel of an offset outlet structureof the funnel body configured to direct liquid out of the funnelassembly;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of another alternative exemplaryembodiment of a powered beverage insert for a beverage funnel;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the insert of FIG. 9 within afunnel body of the funnel, illustrating the insert may be configured toextent from substantially a top of the funnel body to substantially thebottom of the funnel body;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the insert of FIG. 9 within thefunnel body of the funnel, illustrating the insert includes a drain holeat the bottom of the insert that is off-set from the central axis of theinsert or funnel body;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 9 within thefunnel body of the funnel, illustrating the insert includes an off-setdrain hole that is configured to align with or be positioned over achannel of an offset outlet structure of the funnel body, the channelconfigured to direct liquid out of the funnel;

FIG. 14 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 13 ,illustrating a directional tip or flow guide on the bottom of the insertadjacent the off-set drain hole extends into the channel of the outsetoutlet structure to at least partially direct the flow of fluid from theinsert into the outset outlet structure to then exit the funnel;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of afunnel assembly of the present disclosure for use with a beveragebrewing apparatus, such as a beverage brewing apparatus for producingiced tea, including an offset outlet portion and a generally partiallyconical wall defining a cavity therein;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the funnel assembly shown in FIG. 15 showinginterior portions of a funnel body revealing a cavity defined by asurrounding wall and a bottom, the bottom including an offset outletdrain and further including an upwardly-extending projection annularlyinward of the outlet drain;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 16 , illustrating thecavity has been partially filled with a powdered beverage makingsubstance;

FIG. 18 is side perspective view of the funnel assembly of FIG. 15illustrating portions of the sides of the funnel body taper downward toa reduced diameter-bottom of the funnel body;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the funnel assembly of FIG. 15illustrating the bottom of the funnel assembly includes stabilizationlegs and further illustrating the offset drain extends down and awayfrom the bottom of the funnel assembly and the upwardly-extendingprojection extends up and into the cavity of the funnel assembly formingan indentation in the bottom surface of the bottom;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the funnel assembly of FIG. 15 ,illustrating alignment of the outlet drain aperture as being annularlyoutward of the upwardly-extending protrusion;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the funnel assembly taken along theline 21-21 in FIG. 16 and showing the cross section through a portion ofthe funnel assembly that generally corresponds with the offset outletdrain;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the funnel assembly taken along theline 22-22 in FIG. 16 and showing the cross section through a portion ofthe funnel assembly that is generally along a central line of the funnelassembly and is generally perpendicular to the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 21 ;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to the view of the funnel assembly taken alongthe line 23-23 in FIG. 17 and showing the cross section through aportion of the funnel assembly that generally corresponds with theoffset outlet drain; and

FIGS. 24A-24C are cross sectional views of the funnel body of the funnelassembly taken generally along the lines 24A-24A, 24B-24B, and 24C-24Cof FIG. 15 and generally illustrating the shape and angle of the sidewalls of the funnel body at various points along the depth of the funnelbody.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment indifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will bedescribed in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the presentdescription is to be considered an exemplification of the principles ofthe disclosure and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of afunnel assembly 30 that can be used to produce a brewed beverage. Thefunnel assembly includes a body portion 32 primarily composed of a wall34, a handle 36 attached to and extending from the wall 34 with a rim orflange 38 positioned at a top portion of the wall 34. As shown, thefunnel body 32 has a wall with a stepped (40, 42, 44) structure and abottom portion 46 connected to the wall 34. Other forms of the funnelbody 32 are envisioned herein. An offset outlet structure 48 is attachedto and extending from the bottom portion 46. The offset outlet structure48 forms a slot 52 accessible from an interior cavity 70 of the funnel30, as illustrated in FIG. 4 . One or more support legs 50 are attachedto the bottom to support the funnel in an upright condition when placedon a generally horizontal surface. Similarly, a support post 54 mayextend below the offset outlet structure 48 to work in conjunction withthe one or more support legs 50 to support the funnel assembly 30 on ahorizontal surface.

It should be noted that while a particular style of brewing funnel isshown in the figures, a variety of configurations could be used toachieve the same or substantially similar results as described in thisdetailed description. A variety of funnel body structures and otherconfigurations can be used to achieve substantially the same results insubstantially the same way based on the teachings of the description.Applicant intends that the drawings will provide illustration of thegeneral principles but will not limit the application of thoseprinciples to specific configurations, materials, dimensions or otherlimitations. Rather, the intent of this application is to broadlydisclose and claim the structural and functional concepts set forthherein. As an example, while a stepped (40, 42, 44) configuration isshown the wall 34 could be generally continuous without the steps andthe funnel body might be configured without a specifically defined baseor floor, with the wall transitioning into a lower area with no specificfloor portion.

With regard to FIG. 2 , an internal perspective view of the funnel 30 isshown and the funnel has been rotated from FIG. 1 to show the internalstructures and configuration of the funnel. For example, FIG. 2illustrates an insert 60 positioned in the funnel body 32. As noted, thefunnel body 32 includes a rim or flange 38 positioned at the top edge ofthe wall 34. The handle 36 is generally shown attached to and extendingfrom the wall 34 at a position towards the flange 38. The specificconfiguration of the handle is provided for purposes of illustrating thepresent concepts. The handle is not required to be in this position butcould be positioned elsewhere or otherwise attached to or integratedwith the wall 34 or other structures of the funnel 30. Alternatively,there may be no handle on the funnel assembly 30. The wall 34 includesan outside surface 62 and an inside surface 64. In certain embodiments,the insert 60 is configured to engage or at least abut or lie against acorresponding portion of the inside surface 64 of the wall 34. Theinsert 60 is positioned in the interior cavity 70 of the funnel 30defined by the inside surface 64 of the wall 34 at or generally belowthe rim or flange 38. In certain embodiments, the insert 60 occupies alower portion of the cavity 70 covering structures in a lower portion 72of the funnel body 32.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the insert 60 removed fromthe lower portion 72 of the funnel body 32. Generally, the insert 60 iscompatibly sized and dimensioned, and configured for positioning in thelower portion 72 of the funnel body 32 to provide a relatively close fitbetween an outside surface or at least a portion of the surface 80 ofthe insert 60 with a corresponding inside surface 64 of the funnel body32. However, the insert 60 need not be compatibly sized to the funnelbody 32 or form a close fit between an exterior surface 80 of the insert60 and the inside surface 64 of the funnel body 32. Accordingly, variousrelationships between the size and configuration of the insert 60 andthe inside of the funnel body 32 are envisioned here.

The insert 60 includes a wall 82 with an upper portion 56 defining aninsert rim 84. The rim 84 defines the boundary of an insert mouth 86with an insert volume or void 88 defined within the boundaries of thewall 82 and rim 84. The insert 60 includes a base 92, wherein the insert60 essentially defines a basin that is capable of retaining material inthe base 92. While the insert 60 shown in FIG. 3 has a generallycircular configuration with the wall 82 terminating at a lower end 90adjoining the base 92 of the insert 60, other shapes, geometries andconfigurations of the insert 60 can be produced and use forcorrespondingly formed funnel bodies. The base 92 of the insert 60 maybe angled radially downward such that the lowest portion of the insert60 corresponds with a central axis A. Generally, the shape of the insertis configured to be at least partially compatible with a correspondingfunnel body 32. The rim 84 of the insert 60 may be configured to engagewith or abut against a stepped surface 66 of the wall 34 of the funnelbody 32, as illustrated in FIG. 4 . The base 92 of the insert 60 mayinclude a smooth top surface to permit the free-flow of fluids and othermaterials within the insert 60 during mixing.

As will be described, the function of the insert 60 is to retain aquantity of powdered, particulate, granulated, or other beveragematerial for dilution, dissolving, melting or otherwise combination withwater, for example, heated water (although any type of liquid isenvisioned herein). The insert basin 60 includes a drain aperture 100,illustratively formed in the base 92, that permits liquid to drainthrough the insert 60 and into the slot 52 formed in the offset outletstructure 48 of the funnel assembly 30 to be dispersed therefrom.

The term beverage as may be used herein is intended to be defined asincluding for purposes of illustration but not limitation the making offruit juice based drinks, sweetener and flavor based drinks, andlemonade or other “-ade” drinks. This broad interpretation is alsointended to include, but is not limited to any process of dispensing,infusing, steeping, reconstituting, diluting, dissolving, saturating orpassing a liquid through or otherwise mixing or combining a beveragesubstance with a liquid such as water without limitation to thetemperature of such liquid unless specified.

Beverage powder or ingredients will be described in the presentapplication and will be generally referred to as fruit based drinks orlemonade. However, it will be understood that the term beverageingredient should be broadly interpreted regardless of reference tobeverage ingredient. In addition, the characteristics or form of thebeverage ingredient can be any variety of ingredients, which arecurrently known or hereafter developed. The form of the beverageingredient may include powder, liquid, gel, crystal, flake, freeze-driedand any other form or state regardless of temperature, phase, or othercharacteristics. Reference to beverage dispensing includesreconstituting, brewing, steeping, or any other form of combining adilution ingredient with a beverage ingredient using the concepts of thepresent disclosure.

Moreover, while “beverage” is referred to, it is envisioned that anyvariety of food ingredients could be placed in an ingredient containerto reconstitute a desired food. In this regard, the food could take theform of juice, coffee, tea, other flavored beverages, as well as otherfoods such a soup. Furthermore, use of a dilution ingredient is to bebroadly interpreted. While “water” is referred to for convenience andpurposes of illustration but not limitation throughout the disclosure,it should be understood that any variety of dilution ingredients couldbe used with the present disclosure.

The drain aperture 100 is positioned in a location to access the insideof the cavity 88 of the insert 60. In illustrative embodiments, thedrain aperture 100 is in a position that is or can be configured to bethe lowest portion of the insert 60. As shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the drainaperture 100 may be positioned generally centrally in the bottom 92 orfloor of the insert 60 along a central axis A of the insert 60. In otherconfigurations and as described below, the aperture 100 could be offsetfrom the center, positioned along a side, or in other locations asneeded. Generally, the location of the drain opening 100 of the insert60 is configured to provide an outlet through which the combinedbeverage making substance and water can flow after the beverage makingsubstance is dissolved or at least partially integrated with the water.

In certain embodiments, a mesh material 102 may be positioned over thedrain aperture 100. The mesh 102 can be attached to or molded in thematerial forming the basin 60 to retain it in position over the drainaperture 100. While the mesh or other material 102 could be configuredto be removable, a preferred embodiment is to integrally mold the mesh102 in the basin 60 material so that it can be, generally, permanentlyretained in the basin 60. The material 102 is described as mesh but canbe any variety of configuration of material (for example wire material)that permits a dissolved beverage making substance in the water to flowthrough the drain aperture 100. In this regard, during the beveragemaking process, the beverage making material has become at leastpartially dissolved and fluid in nature, allowing it to flow in solutionwith the water through the mesh material 102 and drain aperture 100.

In various embodiments, the drain aperture 100 and mesh 102 areconfigured to allow fluids to pass therethrough but are sized anddimensioned to provide some restriction of particles and fluids therethrough. In addition, the openings formed in the mesh or grate materialare sized and dimensioned to prohibit larger particles of the beveragemaking substance from flowing through the mesh (e.g. undissolved clumpsof material). This helps promote the substantial integration of thebeverage making substance ingredients into the water. The beveragemaking substance might be formed of ingredients including a sugarmaterial or other natural, synthetic, or a combination of sweeteners andmay include coloring ingredients, flavoring ingredients, sweeteningingredients and other ingredients providing other flavors or beveragecharacteristics. An ingredient may be included to provide a particularmouth feel of the resultant beverage once the ingredients have beenmixed in the water.

The insert 60 is formed of a material that is compatible for use withfood products. The materials can be chosen for its qualities in relationto the type of beverage making substance ingredients that will come incontact with the material surfaces. Additionally, the material can bechosen for its properties relative to the use and contact with hotwater. The beverage making equipment that is used to produce thisbeverage typically will dispense liquid such as hot water into thebasin. The hot water provides a preferred chemical reaction to dissolve,melt, or otherwise break down the beverage making substance materials todissolve it and carry it in the water, or in other words suspend orintegrate the beverage ingredients in solution. It is a generallywell-known chemical principal that heated water has a greater capacityto maintain other ingredients in solution. As such, the preferredmaterial could be selected for its food grade properties under thesevarious conditions. One example of a possible material would be siliconethat is suitable for use in such a food preparation environment. Inaddition, it could be preferred to provide an insert material thatgenerally does not retain flavor or color characteristics from batch tobatch. This will help prevent flavor or color transfer from altering thedesired resultant beverage results.

Turning to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , a cross sectional view of the funnel 30including the insert 60 retained therein is shown in FIG. 4 , with anenlarged view of a cross section of the insert 60 being shown in FIG. 5and a similar insert 60 shown in cross section, but enlarged, in FIG. 6. FIG. 4 includes a diagrammatic illustration of a spray head 201 of abeverage maker to distribute water 200 over a quantity of beveragemaking substance 202 to combine with the substance 202 to produce abeverage solution 204. The beverage solution 204 drains through thedrain aperture 100 and the grate material 102 retained therein.

The beverage solution 204 drains through the structures and can flowaround, or bypass altogether, portions of one or more ribs 206 in thebottom of the funnel body 32. The ribs 206 are provided on the inside ofthe funnel body 32 to support a filter material lining the inside of thefunnel body 32 and typically used to contain a beverage brewingsubstance such a coffee or tea. When used with coffee or tea the coffeeor tea seeps or flow out through the filter material retained on top ofthe ribs and drains into channels 208 defined between spaced apartneighboring ribs 206. The ribs support the filter material even whensaturated with beverage and water and the channels 208 allow for abeverage to flow from below the filter material and out through thefunnel drain 210 extending through the offset outlet structure 48.

The insert 60 provides the advantage of retaining the powdered beveragemaking substance in the basin or cavity 88 of the insert for 60 mixingwith water to dissolve it and form a liquid beverage or liquid beveragemaking ingredient. If the powdered substance was placed directly intothe funnel without the insert 60, portions or particles of thissubstance might become attached in untended areas, stuck to the insidesurfaces of the funnel body, or lodged in areas such as the intersectionbetween a rib 206, wall, and an inside surface of a funnel bottom in thechannel areas 208. This entrapment of beverage making substanceparticles could be undesirable since it could transfer flavor,coloration, or other characteristics to the next batch of beverage madein the funnel. Additionally, if this material is entrapped on the funnelsurface (when not using the insert 60) it could attract or promoteundesired organisms that could grow on the remaining nutritionalcomponents of the particles. For example, if the beverage makingsubstance includes sugar or other organic flavorings this material couldprovide a food source for the growth of such organisms. Therefore, theuse of the insert 60 eliminates or at least reduces particles beingtrapped in the funnel thereby preventing the development of undesirableorganisms.

In various embodiments, the insert 60 may be positioned to abut againstor engage with the ribs 206 of the funnel body 32. For instance, thebottom surface 94 of the insert 60 may abut or engage with a top surface212 of each rib 206, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . The shape of the bottomsurface 94 of the insert 60 may mirror or correspond with a shape of thetop surfaces 212 of the ribs 206. Alternatively, the insert 60 may bepositioned in the funnel body 32 such that the bottom surface 94 of theinsert 60 may be spaced away from the top surfaces 212 of the ribs 206.

In illustrative embodiments, the insert 60 may alternatively oroptionally include an offset drainage aperture 110 positioned in alocation that is annularly outward of the central axis A of the insert60, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-8 . In various embodiments, the offsetdrainage aperture 110 may be formed similar to the drainage aperture 100and include a mesh or grate material 112 that extends through the offsetaperture 110 and is otherwise molded or attached to the base 92 of theinsert 60. In various embodiments, the mesh material 112 may be formedwith the base 92 as described above with regard to mesh material 102. Asthe base 92 of the insert 60 may be angled downward such that the lowestportion of the insert 60 corresponds with the central axis A, the offsetdrainage aperture 110 may be positioned above the lowest portion of theinsert 60 and would permit draining of fluids from the insert 60 if thefluids were pooled to at least the location of the offset drainageaperture 110. In various embodiments, the offset drainage aperture 110may be positioned approximately half-way between the central axis A andthe wall 82 of the insert 60. In other embodiments, the offset drainageaperture 110 may be positioned closer to the wall 82 than the centralaxis A of the insert 60. Other relative locations are envisioned hereinfor the offset drainage aperture 110.

In various embodiments, the insert 60 includes only the offset drainageaperture 110 and does not include the drainage aperture 100 that ispositioned along the central axis A of the insert 60. As the offsetdrainage aperture 110 will be located along a portion of the base 92that is angled, water or other liquid will naturally run towards thelowest point of the base 92, which may be adjacent the central axis A.Accordingly, as powder sits in or around the offset drainage aperture110, the powder will be subjected to more “sluicing” action from theliquid being drawn downward down the central axis A. Contrarily, anypowder in the lowest portion of the base 92 may experience a poolingeffect, wherein water or other liquid simply pools above and around thepowder instead of washing it along the angled portion of the base 92. Insuch a manner, any powder that is located adjacent the offset drainageaperture 110 may receive more thorough mixing and agitation orincorporation of the dry product into the liquid.

The offset drainage opening 110 may be positioned to drain liquid intothe slot 52 of the offset outlet structure 48 of the funnel assembly 30,as illustrated in FIG. 8 (thereby bypassing any substantial interactionof the liquid with the ribs 206 on the base 92 of the funnel body 32).In various embodiments when the insert 60 is circular, visible or raisedarrows may be used on the insert 60 and the funnel assembly 30 in orderto ensure that a user “clocks” the insert 60 properly to position theoffset opening 110 of the insert 60 above the slot 52. Alternatively, abottom surface 94 of the insert 60 may be configured with one or moremating structures (not shown) that mate with the ribs 206, the channels208, the slot 52, or another portion of the bottom of the funnelassembly 30 in order to ensure that the offset drainage opening 110 ofthe insert 60 is positioned above the slot 52 to drain liquid into theslot 52 and out of the funnel assembly 30.

In various embodiments, the insert 60 includes two openings that extendtherethrough, the drainage aperture 100 and the offset drainage aperture110, in order to help avoid pooling and create more agitation and mixingaction to reduce or eliminate any powder or dry remnant. In variousembodiments, each drainage aperture 100/110 may or may not have a meshscreen 102/112. In other embodiments, the insert 60 may include multipleopenings, such as three or more. The number, shape, size, location andinclusion of mesh screens for each of drainage aperture may be used tomaximize control and influence over the liquid motion during a brewingor mixing operation to avoid pooling, create sluicing, and/or maximizeincorporation of all powder in the finished beverage.

In use, a beverage making apparatus can be used to produce a beveragewhich may not include freshly ground coffee or tea particles but may becomprised primarily of one or more ingredients including powders,flavorings, sweeteners, colorants, aroma ingredients, ingredients toproduce a desired texture, as well as other ingredients to produce aresultant beverage. An insert 60 may be produced to fit in a relativelyconforming configuration with an inside surface of the funnel body usedwith this beverage making equipment. When making a batch of beverageusing a powdered or granular material, the insert 60 is placed in thecavity of the brewing funnel and positioned in the funnel body 32. Oncepositioned and retained, the beverage making substance can be placed inthe cavity 88 of the insert 60. The funnel is positioned in the brewerfor receiving water 200 from a spray head 201. Once the water contactsthe beverage making substance, the substance tends to become dissolvedin this water and resulting ingredient mixture. The liquid portion ofthe dissolved beverage ingredient and water 204 flows out of the insert60 through a drain opening 100/110, and mesh or grate material 102/112,and flows out through the funnel drain 210.

In various embodiments and as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the insert 60 mayfurther include one or more tabs or handles 68 adjacent the insert rim84 and coupled to a portion of the insert 60, for instance, the upperportion 56. The tabs 68 may be co-molded with the insert 60 and extendupward toward the flange of the funnel assembly 30 within the cavity 70of the funnel assembly 30 and about the insert mouth 86. The tabs 68 maybe positioned such that the do not engage with or abut against theinside surface 64 of the wall 34 of the funnel assembly 30, in order toprovide a clearance area for a user to grasp the tabs 68. The tabs 68may be configured to provide assistance to a user when lifting theinsert 60 in and out of the funnel assembly 30, particularly when thesurface 80 of the insert 60 abuts against or is in frictional engagementwith the corresponding inside surface 64 of the funnel body 32.

In various embodiments, the insert 60 may further be modified tooptimize a filter-less tea or coffee brewing operation, as is known inthe industry. Further, one or more ribs may extend from the base 92 ofthe insert 60 upward into the cavity 88 of the insert 60 to retain afilter within the insert 60. Other forms of modifying insert 60 topermit production of various beverages or liquids are envisioned withinthe scope of this disclosure.

In one preferred configuration, the volume of the cavity 88 of theinsert 60 is sized and dimensioned to receive the volume of beveragemaking substance for producing a batch of beverage. The volume should becompatible also to receive at least a portion of the water to be used inthe mixing and dissolving of the beverage making substance generally toretain the entire volume of the mixture within the cavity 88 of theinsert 60 during the beverage making process. During one embodiment ofthe beverage making process, a separate quantity of water can becontrollably dispensed by the beverage making apparatus into thereceiving container. In other words, the receiving container positionedunder the funnel outlet 210 receives the liquid beverage ingredients 204from the funnel assembly as well as a separate volume of dilution waterfor mixing with the beverage ingredients 204. The dilution water can beat ambient or reduced temperature to help promote the cooling of thebeverage produced with the insert. As such, the use of multiple doses ofwater for different purposes during this beverage making process can beoptimized to produce a consistent resultant beverage concentrate 204that is diluted with water. By dispensing the dilution watercontinuously during the process for combination with the concentrate204, a generally consistent beverage can be produced which is ready todrink after the beverage making process is completed. It is believedthat the combination of the concentrate with the dilution water resultsin a generally consistent mixing and a generally consistent brixmeasurement throughout the volume of produced beverage collected in thecontainer below the funnel.

As mentioned, the volume of the cavity 88 is generally sized anddimensioned to receive all of the beverage making substance and at leasta portion of the beverage mixing water from the spray head. It isrecognized that the mixing water will generally be controllablydispensed in a stream, pulses of water, or any combination of stream,pulses, and/or pauses over a predetermined period of time. Since some ofthe beverage material will readily dissolve with this water, some of thebeverage making material dissolved in solution will flow out through theinsert drain 100. As such, a calculation can be made to determine theinflow of water and the outflow of beverage concentrate for use incalculating the volume that should be used with a particular beveragemaking substance.

It is possible that multiple insert sizes could be configured for eachfunnel size. This would allow for different types of beverage makingsubstance and different flow rates to collect within the cavity 88. Inother words, if a beverage making substance tends to slowly melt ordissolve into the solution, it might require a larger volume of waterbefore it becomes fully dissolved and starts to flow out through theopening 100. While this larger capacity insert could be used for lowercapacity situations, it might be desirable to produce a smaller volumeinsert for use with materials that might more readily dissolve into thesolution.

Also disclosed is the process as described for producing a beverageusing an insert, dissolvable beverage making substance, and heated waterto create a beverage concentrate or liquid beverage ingredient forsubsequent controlled mixing or dilution with a predetermined volume ofwater or other beverage ingredient. Alternatively, the liquid beverageingredient 204 could be dispensed over quantity of ice or into acontainer with reduced temperature water already provided in thecontainer.

While it might be preferred in some situations to utilize the dilutionfunctions of a beverage making apparatus, the insert can be used in amore simplified version that does not provide for dilution. As a result,the concentrate would be dispensed over the ice to melt the ice, therebyreducing the temperature of the concentrate while it is mixed with theice, and melting the ice to form additional liquid, so that the finalready to drink beverage is at a desired temperature and a desireddiluted concentration to achieve the ready to drink beverage endproduct.

With reference again to the figures, FIGS. 9-14 illustrate anotheralternative embodiment of an insert 360 to be received in a funnelassembly 330 that can be used to produce a brewed beverage. Similar tothe description above, the funnel assembly 330 includes a body portion332 primarily composed of a wall 334, a handle 336 attached to andextending from the wall 334, and a rim or flange 338 positioned at a topportion of the wall 334. As shown, the funnel body 332 has a bottomportion 346 connected to the wall 334 that forms a basin to retainbeverage making material. An offset outlet structure 348 is attached toand extending from the bottom portion 346. The offset outlet structure348 forms a slot 352 accessible from an interior cavity 370 of thefunnel 330, as illustrated in FIG. 13 . The slot 352 directs fluidtoward a funnel opening 342 that dispenses fluid from the funnelassembly 330. One or more support legs 350 are attached to the bottomportion 346 to support the funnel in an upright condition when placed ona generally horizontal surface. Similarly, a support post 354 may extendbelow the offset outlet structure 348 to work in conjunction with theone or more support legs 350 to support the funnel assembly 330 on ahorizontal surface. Other forms of the funnel assembly 330 areenvisioned herein.

With regard to FIG. 11 , an internal perspective view of the funnel 330is shown illustrating the internal structures and configuration of thefunnel and the insert 360 positioned in the funnel assembly 330. Asnoted, the funnel body 332 includes a rim or flange 338 positioned atthe top edge of the wall 334. The handle 336 is generally shown attachedto and extending from the wall 334 at a position adjacent the rim 338.The specific configuration of the handle is provided for purposes ofillustrating the present concepts. The handle is not required to be inthis position but could be positioned elsewhere or otherwise attached toor integrated with the wall 334 or other structures of the funnel 330.Alternatively, there may be no handle on the funnel assembly 330. Thewall 334 includes an outside surface 362 and an inside surface 364. Theinsert 360 is configured to at least partially engage or abut against aportion of the funnel body 332, such as the rim 338 or the insidesurface 364 of the wall 334, as described further herein. The insert 360is positioned to substantially extend within the interior cavity 370 ofthe funnel 330 defined by the inside surface 364 of the wall 334 at orbelow the rim or flange 338.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 , the insert 360 is illustrativelyconfigured to be coupled to the funnel body 332 adjacent or near the rim338 of the funnel body 332. For example, the funnel body 332 may beformed to include one or more apertures 340 that receive and retain aportion of the insert 360 to maintain the insert 360 within the funnelassembly 330. Alternatively, the insert 360 may simply abut against aportion of the rim 338 of the funnel assembly 330, or portions of theinsert 360 may be received in grooves (not shown) in the rim 338 of thefunnel assembly 330. Other forms of retaining the insert 360 in thefunnel assembly 330 are envisioned and encompassed in the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of the insert 360. Generally,the insert 360 is sized, dimensioned, and configured for positioning inthe funnel body 332. The insert 360 includes an insert body 310including a wall 382 with an upper portion 381 defining an insert rim384. The rim 384 defines the boundary of an insert mouth 380. The insertbody 310 further includes a lower basin 320 that is capable of retainingmaterial, the basin 320 having a lower boundary defined by a base 392 ofthe insert body 310. The wall 382 and lower basin 320 form a cavity orvoid 388 of the insert 360, defined within the boundaries of the wall382, base 392 and rim 384. In illustrative embodiments, the rim 384 maybe formed to include one or more grooves or indentations 366 that extendaway from the rim 384 toward the base 392 of the insert, as illustratedin FIG. 9 , reducing the height of the insert 360 at those locations. Invarious embodiments, the insert 360 may be generally conical in shapeand taper from the insert rim 384 to the base 392 of the insert 360,although other forms and shapes are envisioned herein. Generally, theshape of the insert 360 is configured to be at least partiallycompatible with the corresponding funnel body 332 into which it isreceived, although such compatibility is not required or necessary aslong as the insert 360 can be received within the funnel body 332.

The insert 360 generally includes a drain aperture 390 positioned in alocation near the base 392 of the insert body 310 and accessible frominside the cavity 388 of the insert 360. In various embodiments, thedrain aperture 390 is located at an apex of the base 320 of the insertbody 310. In other illustrative embodiments, the drain aperture 390 isin a position that is or can be configured to be the lowest portion ofthe insert 360. As shown in FIGS. 9-13 , the drain aperture 390 may bepositioned generally offset or off-center in the bottom 392 of theinsert 360 from a central axis A of the insert 360, and the insert body310 may be tapered to the drain aperture 390. In other configurations,the aperture 390 could be centered substantially along the central axisA, or in other locations as needed. Generally, the location of the drainopening is configured to provide an outlet through which the combinedbeverage making substance and water can flow after the beverage makingsubstance is dissolved or at least partially integrated with the waterin the insert 360.

In various embodiments, the insert 360 further includes a flow guide 372that extends away from the lower basin 320 and towards the bottomportion 346 of the funnel body 332 when the insert 360 is receivedwithin the funnel body 332. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12-14 , theflow guide 372 is generally located adjacent to the drain aperture 390and is configured to guide or direct the flow of beverage substance fromthe drain aperture 390 into the offset outlet structure 348 when thedrain aperture is positioned over the slot 352 of the offset outletstructure 348. In various embodiments, the flow guide 372 may bepositioned to be angled with respect to the walls of the base 320 todirect the flow of fluid slightly away from the funnel opening 342, asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13 . By directing the flow of fluid awayfrom the funnel opening 342, the flow guides 372 facilitate additionalmixing or interaction of the beverage substance (as it will thennaturally be directed back to the funnel opening 342 due to thedirectional flow of the offset outlet structure 348) to enhance orelongate the mixing of the powdered material with liquid before itleaves the funnel opening 342, as is understood from the figures.Various angles of the flow guide 372 are envisioned herein. After beingdirected by the flow guide 372, the beverage substance can travelbetween a tip of the flow guide 372 and an interior surface of theoffset outlet structure 348 through the slot 352 to the funnel opening342.

The drainage opening 390 is positioned to drain liquid into the slot 352of the offset outlet structure 348 of the funnel assembly 330, asillustrated in FIG. 13 . In various embodiments, visible or raisedarrows (not shown) may be used on the insert 360 and the funnel assembly330 in order to ensure that a user “clocks” the insert 360 properly toposition the drainage opening 390 above the slot 352. Alternatively, theflow guide 372 of the insert 360 may be configured to mate with thesides of the offset outlet structure 348, or another portion of thefunnel assembly 330, in order to ensure that the drainage opening 390 ispositioned above the slot 352 to drain liquid into the slot 352 and outof the funnel assembly 330.

In illustrative embodiments, a mesh material (not shown) may bepositioned over the drain aperture 390. The mesh can be attached to ormolded in the material forming the basin 320 to retain it in positionover the drain aperture 390. While the mesh or other material (notshown) could be configured to be removable, a preferred embodiment is tointegrally mold the mesh in the basin 320 material so that it can be,generally, permanently retained in the basin 320. The material isdescribed as mesh but can be any variety of configuration(s) of materialthat permits a dissolved beverage making substance in the water to flowthrough the drain aperture 390. In this regard, during the beveragemaking process the beverage making material has become at leastpartially dissolved and generally fluid allowing it to flow in solutionwith the water through the mesh material and drain aperture 390.

The drain aperture 390 and/or mesh material (not shown) are configuredto allow fluids to pass therethrough but are sized and dimensioned toprovide some restriction of particles and fluids there through. Inaddition, the openings formed in the mesh or grate material may be sizedand dimensioned to prohibit larger particles of the beverage makingsubstance from flowing through the mesh (e.g. undissolved clumps ofmaterial). This helps promote the substantial integration of thebeverage making substance ingredients into the water. The beveragemaking substance might be formed of ingredients including a sugarmaterial or other natural, synthetic, or a combination of sweeteners andmay include coloring ingredients, flavoring ingredients, sweeteningingredients and other ingredients providing other flavors or beveragecharacteristics. An ingredient may be included to provide a particularmouth feel of the resultant beverage once the ingredients have beenmixed in the water.

As will be described, the function of the insert 360 is to retain aquantity of powdered, particulate, granulated, or other beveragematerial for dilution, dissolving, melting or otherwise combination withwater, for example, heated water. As illustrated for example in FIG. 12, the insert basin 320 includes a drain aperture 390, illustrativelyformed in the base 392, that permits liquid to drain through the insert360 and into the slot 352 formed in the offset outlet structure 348 ofthe funnel assembly 330 to be dispersed therefrom. In other embodiments,the drain aperture 390 may drain liquid onto or between one or more ribs398 in the base of the funnel body 332, wherein the liquid may then befunneled into the offset outlet structure 348. In illustrativeembodiments, the shape of the insert 360 is designed to facilitate andpromote directing of liquid toward an area of powdered materialcontained in the insert 360, and mixing of the liquid with the powderedmaterial to form a beverage substance. As noted previously, the insert360 may be configured to further prevent powdered material from beingunintentionally retained in undesirable locations in the funnel assembly330, such as between ribs 398 on the bottom of the funnel body 332,after the beverage production process.

The insert 360 may further optionally include a liquid shield 344 thatis attached to the insert body 310 and is connectable to the funnelassembly 330 adjacent the handle 336, as illustrated in FIG. 11 . Theliquid shield 344 may be similar to the devices as shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,055,900, 6,487,961, and 6,497,818, which are assigned toBunn-O-Matic Corporation, the assignee of the present application andwhich patents are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Asis understood, the liquid shield 344 may be configured to prevent orreduce splashing of liquid out of the funnel assembly 330 onto a user'shand on the handle 336. Accordingly, the liquid shield 344 prevents amaterial (not shown) from escaping the cavity 370 of the funnel assembly330, particularly if such material is sloshed around prior to exitingthe funnel assembly 330 through the offset outlet structure 348 of thefunnel assembly 330. In various embodiments, the liquid shield 344 mayform a seal that prevents liquid or beverage substance from spilling outbetween the liquid shield 344 and the inside surface 364 of the funnelbody 332. In illustrative embodiments, the insert body 310 and liquidshield 344 may be integrally formed together, and may further be formedof material that is resistant to moisture and heat, such as the materialfrom which the brewing funnel assembly 330 is formed, or any othersuitable material. While the shield 344 is shown herein in combinationwith the insert body 310 to be connected to the funnel body 332,additional embodiments of the shield 344 or insert body 310 whichutilize other connection features may be configured based on theteachings provided herein.

The liquid shield 344 of the insert 360 includes a body portion 345which extends inwardly over at least a portion of the interior cavity370 defined by the side wall 334 of the funnel body 332 of the funnelassembly 330. As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the liquid shield 344 isgenerally located inside the circumference of the funnel 330 whenconnected to the funnel assembly 330. The body portion 345 of the liquidshield 344 includes a first edge 351, generally proximate to the brewingfunnel 330 and in particular the inside surface 364 of the side wall334. A second edge 353 is positioned generally opposite the first edge351 extending over the cavity 370 when the liquid shield 344 is coupledto the funnel assembly 330. One or more connection tabs 356 may extendfrom the first edge 351. The one or more tabs 356 are generallyconfigured to be received within one or more apertures 340 of the funnelbody 332 to retain the insert 360 in the cavity 370 of the funnelassembly 330. Alternatively, the one or more tabs 356 may simply abutagainst or lie on top of a portion of the funnel assembly 330, such asthe rim 338. The liquid shield 344 may be connected to the insert rim384 of the insert body 310 via one or more connectors 386, asillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11 .

While the design and placement of the liquid shield 344 relative to thefunnel assembly 330 and insert body 310 as show in the figures isgenerally symmetric relative to the handle 336, it is envisioned thatthere may be other relationships between the handle 336 and/or theinsert body 310 and the liquid shield 344. For example, if the geometryof the funnel 330 is different, the relational movement of the liquidand beverage brewing substance in the funnel 330 may dictate placementof the liquid shield 344 in a different location relative to the handle336 or insert body 310.

The insert 360 may further optionally include a retaining tab 358 thatis further configured to retain the insert 360 within the cavity 370 ofthe funnel assembly 330. As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the retaining tab358 may be positioned generally opposite of the liquid shield 344,although other positions and locations are envisioned herein. Theretaining tab 358 may also engage with one of the apertures 340 of thefunnel body to retail the insert 360 in a substantially fixed position,or may simply abut against a top surface of the funnel assembly 330,such as the rim 338.

The insert 360 is formed of a material that is compatible for use withfood products. The materials can be chosen for its qualities in relationto the type of beverage making substance ingredients that will come incontact with the material surfaces. Additionally, the material can bechosen for its properties relative to the use and contact with hotwater. The beverage making equipment that is used to produce thisbeverage typically will dispense hot water into the basin. The hot waterprovides a preferred chemical reaction to dissolve, melt, or otherwisebreak down the beverage making substance materials to dissolve it andcarry it in the water, or in other words suspend or integrate thebeverage ingredients in solution. It is a generally well-known chemicalprincipal that heated water has a greater capacity to maintain otheringredients in solution. As such, the preferred material could beselected for its food grade properties under these various conditions.One example of a possible material would be silicone that is suitablefor use in such a food preparation environment. In addition, it could bepreferred to provide an insert material that generally does not retainflavor or color characteristics from batch to batch. This will helpprevent flavor or color transfer from altering the desired resultantbeverage results.

Turning to FIGS. 13-14 , a cross section of the funnel 330 including theinsert 360 retained therein is shown. FIG. 14 illustrates an enlargedview of a cross section of the insert 360 shown in FIG. 13 . The insert360 is configured to be substantially retained within the funnel body332 to contain beverage making material therein. Water or other liquidcan be dispensed over the funnel mouth into the cavity 370 of the funnel330, with at least a portion of the liquid being directed into thecavity 388 insert 360 via the wall 382 of the insert body 310.Alternatively, all of the liquid may be directed into the insert 360.Alternatively still, a majority of the liquid may be directed into theinsert 360 and a portion of the liquid may be directed to fall outsideof the insert 360 in the cavity 370 of the funnel, for example, throughthe grooves 366 in the rim 384 of the insert body 310. The liquiddirected into the insert 360 will be mixed with the beverage makingmaterial (e.g. powder) retained in the insert 360 and will form anintegrated or partially integrated beverage mixture that can drain outof the drainage aperture 390 of the insert 360. As the integratedbeverage mixture drains out of the aperture 390, it may be directed by aflow guide 372 into a specific flow path into the slot 352 of the offsetoutlet structure 348, and thereafter will drain out of the offset outletstructure 348 to be dispensed into a user's container. In variousembodiments, if liquid is directed to fall outside of the insert 370into the cavity 370 of the funnel, such liquid may also be directed intothe slot 352 of the offset outlet structure 348 to mix with the beveragemixture draining from the insert 360 within the slot 352, permittingfurther dilution of the beverage before dispensing.

In various embodiments, the beverage solution drains through the insert360 and can bypass around portions of the funnel assembly 330, such asone or more ribs 398 in the bottom of the funnel body 332. The ribs 398are typically provided on the inside of the funnel body 332 to support afilter material lining the inside of the funnel body and used to containa beverage brewing substance such a coffee or tea. When the funnel body332 is used with coffee or tea, the coffee or tea seeps or flow outthrough the filter material retained on top of the ribs and drains intochannels 399 defined between spaced-apart neighboring ribs 398. The ribssupport the filter material even when saturated with beverage and waterand the channels 399 allow for a beverage to flow from below the filtermaterial and out through the funnel opening 342 extending through theoffset outlet structure 348.

The insert 360 provides the advantage of retaining the powdered beveragemaking substance in the basin or cavity 388 of the insert 360 for mixingwith water to dissolve it and form a liquid beverage or liquid beveragemaking ingredient. If the powdered substance was placed directly intothe funnel without the insert 360, portions or particles of thissubstance might become attached in undesired areas, stuck to the insidesurfaces of the funnel body, or lodged in areas such as the intersectionbetween the bottom portion 346 and one or more ribs 398 of the funnelassembly 330, the intersection between the wall 334 and bottom portion346 of the funnel assembly 330, or an inside surface of a funnel bottom346 in one or more channel areas 399 formed between the ribs 398. Thisentrapment of beverage making substance particles could be undesirablesince it could transfer flavor, coloration, or other characteristics tothe next batch of beverage made in the funnel. Additionally, if thismaterial is entrapped on the funnel surface (when not using the insert360) it could attract or promote undesired organisms that could grow onthe remaining nutritional components of the particles. For example, ifthe beverage making substance includes sugar or other organic flavoringsthis material could provide a food source for the growth of suchorganisms. Therefore, the use of the insert 360 eliminates or at leastreduces particles being trapped in the funnel thereby preventing thedevelopment of undesirable organisms.

In use, a beverage making apparatus can be used to produce a beveragewhich may not include freshly ground coffee or tea particles but may becomprised primarily of one or more ingredients including flavorings,sweeteners, colorants, aroma ingredients, ingredients to produce adesired texture as well as other ingredients to produce a resultantbeverage. The insert 360 has been produced to fit in a relativelyconforming configuration within the funnel body used with this beveragemaking equipment. When making a batch of beverage using a powdered orgranular material, the insert 360 is placed in the cavity of the brewingfunnel. Once positioned and retained, the beverage making substance canbe placed in the cavity 388 of the insert 360. The funnel is positionedin the brewer for receiving water from a spray head (not shown). Oncethe water contacts the beverage making substance in the insert 360, ittends to become dissolved in this water and ingredient mixture. Theliquid portion of the dissolved combined beverage ingredient and waterflows out of the insert 360 through a drain opening 390, and optionallya mesh or grate material (not shown), and flows out through the funneloffset outlet structure 348.

In one preferred configuration, the volume of the cavity 388 is sizedand dimensioned to receive the volume of beverage making substance forproducing a batch of beverage. The volume should be compatible also toreceive at least a portion of the water to be used in the mixing anddissolving of the beverage making substance generally to retain theentire volume of the mixture within the cavity 388 of the insert 360during the beverage making process. During one embodiment of thebeverage making process, a separate quantity of water can becontrollably dispensed by the beverage making apparatus into thereceiving container. In other words, the receiving container positionedunder the funnel outlet 342 receives the liquid beverage ingredientsfrom the funnel assembly as well as a separate volume of dilution waterfor mixing with the beverage ingredients. The dilution water can be atambient or reduced temperature to help promote the cooling of thebeverage produced with the insert. As such, the use of multiple doses ofwater for different purposes during this beverage making process can beoptimized to produce a consistent resultant beverage concentrate that isdiluted with water. By dispensing the dilution water continuously duringthe process for combination with the concentrate a generally consistentbeverage can be produced which is ready to drink after the beveragemaking process is completed. It is believed that the combination of theconcentrate with the dilution water results in a generally consistentmixing and a generally consistent brix measurement throughout the volumeof produced beverage collected in the container below the funnel.

In an alternative embodiment, water may be dispensed from a spray headover the funnel assembly 330 wherein some of the water by-passes theinsert 360 and any beverage material retained therein. For instance, thespray head may dispense some water into the insert 360 and some wateroutside of the insert 360 but still within the cavity 370 of the funnelassembly 330. As described herein, such dispensing may occur via use ofthe grooves 366 in the rim 382 of the insert body 310. Water directeddirectly into the cavity 370 that bypasses the insert 360 may exit thefunnel assembly 330 under normal operation via the offset outletstructure 348. Such water may mix with any beverage substance formed inthe insert 360 before or during dispensing out of the funnel assembly330.

As mentioned, the volume of the cavity 388 is generally sized anddimensioned to receive all of the beverage making substance and at leasta portion of the beverage mixing water from the spray head (not shown).It is recognized that the mixing water will generally be controllablydispensed in a stream, pulses of water, or any combination of stream,pulses, and/or pauses over a predetermined period of time. Since some ofthe beverage material will readily dissolve with this water, some of thebeverage making material dissolved in solution will flow out through theinsert drain opening 390. As such, a calculation can be made todetermine the inflow of water and the outflow of beverage concentratefor use in calculating the volume that should be used with a particularbeverage making substance.

It is possible that multiple insert sizes could be configured for eachfunnel size. This would allow for different types of beverage makingsubstance and different flow rates to collect within the cavity 388. Inother words, if a beverage making substance tends to slowly melt ordissolve into the solution it might require a larger volume of waterbefore it becomes fully dissolved and starts to flow out through theopening 390. While this larger capacity insert could be used for lowercapacity situations, it might be desirable to produce a smaller volumeinsert for use with materials that might more readily dissolve into thesolution.

Also disclosed is the process as described for producing a beverageusing an insert, dissolvable beverage making substance, and heated waterto create a beverage concentrate or liquid beverage ingredient forsubsequent controlled mixing or dilution with a predetermined volume ofwater or other beverage ingredient. Alternatively, the liquid beverageingredient could be dispensed over quantity of ice or into a containerwith reduced temperature water already provided in the container.

With reference to the figures, FIGS. 15-24C shows a side elevationalview of an alternative embodiment of a funnel assembly 30 that can beused to produce a brewed beverage in a standard brewing apparatus orequipment. The funnel assembly includes a body portion 432 primarilycomposed of an annular wall 434, a handle 436 attached to and extendingfrom the wall 4434, and a rim or flange 438 positioned at a top portionof the wall 434. The body portion 432 generally forms an interior cavity470 of the funnel 430 that is capable of containing and holding liquidsor powdered substances. As shown, the funnel body 432 has a wall 434that is generally circular in nature but that includes one or moreangled or tapered portions or facets (440, 442, 444). The funnel body432 further includes a bottom wall 446 connected to the wall 434, andthe bottom wall 446 may also be angled or tapered as illustrated. Otherforms of the funnel body 432 are envisioned herein. An offset outletstructure 448 is positioned attached to and extending from the bottomwall 446. The offset outlet structure 448 forms a recessed cup or indentthat is accessible from the interior cavity 470 of the funnel 430, asillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 . One or more support legs 450 areattached to the bottom to support the funnel 430 in an upright conditionwhen placed on a generally horizontal surface. Similarly, a support post454 may extend adjacent the offset outlet structure 448 to work inconjunction with the one or more support legs 450 to support the funnelassembly 430 on a horizontal surface. As illustrated in FIG. 15 , thefunnel assembly 430 has a central axis A that may generally be definedby the annular wall 434 and/or the rim 438.

In illustrative embodiments, the angled walls 440, 442, and 444 may beangled with respect to the bottom of the funnel assembly at variousangles, for example, angles X and Y as illustrated in in FIGS. 15, 18and 21 . The angle of the walls 440, 442 and 444 may be dependent on theangle of the wall necessary to receive and transmit a stream of liquidto a powdered material within the bottom of the funnel assembly 430 inorder to achieve adequate mixing, as described in further detail below.Although various angles are envisioned herein, the angles X and Y mayinclude an angle that is at least 45 degrees with respect to the bottomof the funnel 430. Further, the specific angles X and Y for the walls440, 442 and 444 may be different or the same.

It should be noted that while a particular style of brewing funnel isshown in the figures, a variety of configurations could be used toachieve the same or substantially similar results as described in thisdetailed description. A variety of funnel body structures and otherconfigurations can be used to achieve substantially the same results insubstantially the same way based on the teachings of the description.Applicant intends that the drawings will provide illustration of thegeneral principles but will not limit the application of thoseprinciples to specific configurations, materials, dimensions or otherlimitations. Rather, the intent of this application is to broadlydisclose and claim the structural and functional concepts set forthherein. As an example, while various angled portions (440, 442, 444) areshown, the wall 434 could be generally a continuous circle without theangled portions, and the funnel body might be configured without aspecifically defined shape to the base or floor, with the walltransitioning into a lower area with no specific shape.

With regard to FIG. 16 , an internal perspective view of the funnel 430is shown, illustrating the internal structures and configuration of thefunnel body 432. As noted, the funnel body 432 includes a rim or flange438 positioned at the top edge of the wall 434. The handle 436 isgenerally shown attached to and extending from the wall 434 at aposition adjacent the flange 438. The specific configuration of thehandle 436 is provided for purposes of illustrating the presentconcepts. The handle 436 is not required to be in this position butcould be positioned elsewhere or otherwise attached to or integratedwith the wall 434 or other structures of the funnel 430. Alternatively,there may be no handle on the funnel assembly 430. The wall 434 includesan outside surface 462 and an inside surface 464, with the insidesurface 464 generally defining the cavity 470 of the funnel body 432.

As will be described, the function of the funnel 430 is to retain aquantity of powdered, particulate, granulated, or other beveragematerial for dilution, dissolving, melting or otherwise combination withwater. The funnel 430 includes a base portion 460 that is configured tocollect a powdered material 500 and permit liquid to mix with thepowdered material 500 to form a beverage substance that can drainthrough the outlet structure 448 of the funnel assembly 430 to bedispersed therefrom.

The term beverage as may be used herein is intended to be defined asincluding for purposes of illustration but not limitation the making offruit juice based drinks, sweetener and flavor based drinks, andlemonade or other “-ade” drinks. This broad interpretation is alsointended to include, but is not limited to any process of dispensing,infusing, steeping, reconstituting, diluting, dissolving, saturating orpassing a liquid through or otherwise mixing or combining a beveragesubstance with a liquid such as water without limitation to thetemperature of such liquid unless specified.

Beverage powder or ingredients will be described in the presentapplication and will be generally referred to as fruit based drinks orlemonade. However, it will be understood that the term beverageingredient should be broadly interpreted regardless of reference tobeverage ingredient. In addition, the characteristics or form of thebeverage ingredient can be any variety of ingredients, which arecurrently known or hereafter developed. The form of the beverageingredient may include powder, liquid, gel, crystal, flake, freeze-driedand any other form or state regardless of temperature, phase, or othercharacteristics. Reference to beverage dispensing includesreconstituting, brewing, steeping, or any other form of combining adilution ingredient with a beverage ingredient using the concepts of thepresent disclosure.

Moreover, while “beverage” is referred to, it is envisioned that anyvariety of food ingredients could be placed in an ingredient containerto reconstitute a desired food. In this regard, the food could take theform of juice, coffee, tea, other flavored beverages, as well as otherfoods. Furthermore, use of a dilution ingredient is to be broadlyinterpreted. While “water” is referred to for convenience and purposesof illustration but not limitation throughout the disclosure, it shouldbe understood that any variety of dilution ingredients could be usedwith the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the base portion 460 of the funnel assembly430 may be generally defined by the annular wall 434 and the bottom wall446 of the funnel body 432. The cavity 470 extends through the baseportion 460 to permit a powdered substance 500 to accumulate in the baseportion 460 when it is poured or inserted into the funnel assembly 430annularly inward of the rim 438. In typical use, the powdered substancemay be poured or inserted into the funnel assembly adjacent or along thecentral axis A—the central axis A generally corresponding to the middleof the funnel assembly 430 and therefore providing the easiest access tothe base portion 460 of the funnel assembly 430, as illustrated in FIGS.15-17, 21 and 23 .

In illustrative embodiments, the base portion 460 includes a drainaperture 486 and an upwardly extending projection or fin 420 positionedalong or within the bottom wall 446 of the funnel body 432. In use, thepowdered substance 500 is configured to be received within the baseportion 460 and fall to the bottom wall 446 to interact with the drainaperture 486 and upwardly extending projection 420, as illustratedacross FIGS. 16-17 . The powdered substance 500 is retained within thebase portion 460 while a stream of water or other liquid is sprayed overthe powdered substance 500 to be mixed with the powdered substance 500to form a beverage substance.

The drain aperture 486 is positioned in a location inside the outletstructure 448 or the bottom wall 446 and accessible by the cavity 470.In illustrative embodiments, the outlet structure 448 is formed toinclude the drain aperture 486. In various embodiments, the drainaperture 486 is in a position that is or can be configured to be thelowest portion of the bottom wall 446 of the base portion 460. As shownin FIGS. 16-22 , the drain aperture 486 may be positioned generallyalong a drain axis D that is spaced away from but generally parallel tothe central axis A of the funnel assembly 430. The drain axis D may bepositioned to correspond with the lowest portion of the bottom wall 446,and may be positioned annularly outward of the central axis A. Invarious embodiments, the drainage aperture 486 may be positionedapproximately half-way between the central axis A and the wall 434 ofthe funnel assembly 430. In other embodiments, the drainage aperture 486may be positioned closer to the wall 434 than the central axis A. Otherrelative locations are envisioned herein for the offset drainageaperture 486. As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 22 , the aperture 486 maybe offset from the center, positioned along a side, or in otherlocations as needed. Generally, the location of the drain opening isconfigured to provide an outlet through which the combined beveragemaking substance (e.g. powder 500) and water can flow after the beveragemaking substance is dissolved or at least partially integrated with thewater.

In illustrative embodiments, a mesh material 488 is positioned over thedrain aperture 486. The mesh 488 can be attached to or molded in thematerial forming the offset outlet structure 448 or bottom wall 446 toretain it in position over the drain aperture 486. While the mesh orother material 488 could be configured to be removable, a preferredembodiment is to integrally mold the mesh 488 in the outlet structure448 material so that it can be, generally, permanently retained in thebase portion 460. The material 488 is described as mesh but can be anyvariety of configuration of material that permits a dissolved beveragemaking substance in the water to flow through the drain aperture 486. Inthis regard, during the beverage making process the beverage makingmaterial has become at least partially dissolved and generally fluidallowing it to flow in solution with the water through the mesh material488 and drain aperture 486.

The drain aperture 486 and mesh 488 are configured to allow fluids topass therethrough but are sized and dimensioned to provide somerestriction of particles and fluids there through. In addition, theopenings formed in the mesh or grate material are sized and dimensionedto prohibit larger particles of the beverage making substance fromflowing through the mesh (e.g. undissolved clumps of material 500). Thishelps promote the substantial integration of the beverage makingsubstance ingredients into the water. The beverage making substancemight be formed of ingredients including a sugar material or othernatural, synthetic, or a combination of sweeteners and may includecoloring ingredients, flavoring ingredients, sweetening ingredients andother ingredients providing other flavors or beverage characteristics.An ingredient may be included to provide a particular mouth feel of theresultant beverage once the ingredients have been mixed in the water.

The base portion 460, and funnel assembly 430 in general, is formed of amaterial that is compatible for use with food products. The materialscan be chosen for its qualities in relation to the type of beveragemaking substance ingredients that will come in contact with the materialsurfaces. Additionally, the material can be chosen for its propertiesrelative to the use and contact with hot water. The beverage makingequipment that is used to produce this beverage typically will dispensehot water into the base portion 460. The hot water provides a preferredchemical reaction to dissolve, melt, or otherwise break down thebeverage making substance materials to dissolve it and carry it in thewater, or in other words suspend or integrate the beverage ingredientsin solution. It is a generally well-known chemical principal that heatedwater has a greater capacity to maintain other ingredients in solution.As such, the preferred material could be selected for its food gradeproperties under these various conditions. One example of a possiblematerial would be silicone that is suitable for use in such a foodpreparation environment. In other embodiments, the beverage makingequipment may dispense cold or room temperature water or liquid into thebase portion 460. In addition, it could be preferred to provide amaterial that generally does not retain flavor or color characteristicsfrom batch to batch. This will help prevent flavor or color transferfrom altering the desired resultant beverage results.

In illustrative embodiments, the upwardly-extending projection 420 ispositioned along the bottom wall 446 of the base portion 460 and extendsupward into the cavity 470, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-17 and 21-23 . Inan exemplary embodiment, the projection 420 may be diamond or fin-shapedto include a first side surface 466, a second side surface 468, and afront surface 472, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-17 and 21-23 . Theprotrusion may further include an apex 480 where the first side surface466, second side surface 468 and front surface 472 converge together,although other shapes or configurations are envisioned herein. Theprojection 420 may be co-molded into the bottom wall 446 of the funnelassembly 430 so as to form a corresponding indent or hole 478 on thebottom side of the funnel assembly 430. The projection 420 may be formedof various shapes or sizes, depending on the type of beverage makingequipment in use or the shape and size of the powdered material 500. Thepresent disclosure envisions that the protrusion may take alternativeshapes and sizes and should not be restricted to the illustrativeembodiment disclosed.

In illustrative embodiments, the projection 420 is configured to directthe flow of powdered substance 500 and/or liquid as they are introducedinto or retained in the funnel assembly 430. Accordingly, a portion ofthe projection 420 is preferably located in alignment with the centralaxis A to receive powdered substance 500 as it is poured into the funnelassembly 430. In illustrative embodiments, the projection 420 isconfigured to direct the powdered substance 500 into one or morechannels, such as first and second channels 474 and 476, positionedalong the bottom wall 446 of the funnel assembly 430. For example,illustrated in FIGS. 16-17 and 21-23 , the first and second sidesurfaces 468 of the protrusion are configured to be angled slightly tocause powdered substance to be directed into the first and secondchannels 474 and 476 that extend along the bottom wall 446 of the funnel430. In other embodiments, there may be only one channel or more thantwo channels formed in the base portion 460 of the funnel 430.

The first and second channels 474 and 476 are configured to direct theflow of beverage components—e.g. powdered substance, liquid or acombination thereof—as they pass through the funnel assembly 430. As thebottom wall 446 is angled downward toward the drain opening 486, thechannels direct the flow of such beverage components toward to the drainopening in a predetermined or pre-arranged manner. By restricting theflow path of the beverage components into the predeterminedarrangements, the components will be subjected to more sluicing ormixing action as they a retained in the funnel before exiting throughthe drain aperture 486.

In illustrative embodiments, the first channel 474 is formed between thefirst side surface 466 of the projection 420 and the angled wall 444 ofthe annular wall 434 of the funnel assembly 430, as illustrated in FIGS.21 and 23 . Similarly, the second channel 476 is formed between thesecond side surface 468 of the protrusion and the angled wall 442 of theannular wall 434 of the funnel assembly 430. The first and secondchannels 474 and 476 extend down toward the drain aperture 486 along theangled bottom wall 446 to direct the flow of beverage components towardthe drain aperture. As water or other liquid is sprayed into the funnelassembly 430, it will be directed to the angled walls 440, 442 and 444and the force of gravity will cause the liquid to run down the side ofthe walls toward the channels 474 and 476, as noted in FIG. 23 . Bydirecting the flow of powdered substance 500 to the channels 474 and476, the projection 420 provides a targeted location for the liquid tobe directed in order to enhance the mixing process. Further, channels474 and 476 provide a concentrated, predetermined location for mixing tooccur.

In illustrative embodiments, the liquid being sprayed into the funnelassembly 430 may be sprayed at various velocities, depending on the typeof beverage making equipment being used and the type of beverage beingprepared. The angled walls 440, 442 and 444 are configured to be angledwith respect to the annular wall 434 and/or the bottom wall 446 in orderto ensure the velocity of the liquid as it hits the powdered material issuitable for the mixing required. For instance, the angled walls 440,442 and 444 may increase the velocity of the liquid as it runs down thewalls 440, 442 and 444 and into the channels 474 and 476, therebyincreasing the force of the liquid as it mixes with the powderedsubstance 500 and providing for better mixing of the beveragecomponents.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment in the Figures, theprojection 420 is configured to at least partially restrict the flow orbuild-up of one or more beverage components from collecting directly ontop of the mesh cover 488 of the drain aperture 486 when the beveragecomponent is introduced or moved about within the funnel assembly 430.As noted above, a substantial build-up of powdered material 500, forinstance, on top of the mesh cover 488 can cause undesired clumpingaction or block flow of a mixed beverage substance from the drainaperture 486. While a minimal amount of build-up of powdered materialmay not cause such clumping action, it has been found that too muchpowdered material directly on top of the mesh cover 488 may cause suchundesired build-up and lead to blockage. Accordingly, in addition todirecting flow of liquid and other material along the bottom wall 446 ofthe funnel assembly 430, the projection 420 is configured to create flowchannels (e.g. flow channels 474 and 76) that substantially direct theflow of beverage components away from the drain aperture 486.

In various embodiments, the front surface 472 of the projection 420 isconfigured to be located adjacent the drain aperture 486 and isconfigured to shield or protect the drain aperture 486 from substantialbuild-up of powdered substance 500 thereon. As illustrated in FIGS. 17,21 and 23 , the powdered substance 500 will travel down the angledbottom wall 446 along channels 474 and 476 toward the area of the drainopening 486, but the angle of the first and second side surface 466 and468 will cause the powdered substance to be delivered to one or morepooling locations 484 that are adjacent to, but not over, the drainaperture 486. In various embodiments, the front surface 472 of theprojection 420 extends between the first and second side surfaces 466and 468, therein determining the distance between the flow channels 474and 476. Accordingly, the front surface 472 may have a length that isgenerally as long as, or longer than, the diameter of the drain aperture486. As the front surface 472 is positioned annularly inward andupstream from the drain aperture 486, the front surface 472 provides ablocking mechanism to the flow of powdered substance 500 onto the drainopening.

Turning to FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 , cross-sectional views of the funnel430 taken at various planes intersecting the drain axis D and thecentral axis A are show to further illustrate the base portion 460 ofthe funnel 430 and the flow path of beverage components therein. Aspowdered substance 500 is introduced into the funnel 430 along centralaxis A, it falls down and hits the projection 420. The angled sidesurfaces 466 and 468 of the projection 420 cause the powdered substance500 to be directed into the flow channels 474 and 476, and the angle ofthe bottom wall 446 causes the substance 500 in the flow channels 474and 476 to be directed down toward the pooling locations 484 that areadjacent to (but not on top of) the drain aperture 486. Accordingly, thedrain aperture 486 and the mesh cover 488 over it receive substantiallyless powdered material 500 agglomerating over them. As liquid isintroduced into the funnel assembly 430, it is also directed into theflow channels 474 and 476 and toward the pooling locations 484 to mixwith the powdered material 500 before moving through the drainageaperture 486.

FIG. 23 includes a diagrammatic illustration of a spray head 501 of abeverage maker to distribute water 502 over a quantity of beveragemaking substance 500 to combine with the substance 500 to produce abeverage solution. The system is configured to promote a thoroughlymixed beverage solution to drain through the drain aperture 486 and thegrate material 488 retained therein. The funnel assembly 430 is directedto improving efficient mixing and beverage components via, for example,the angled bottom wall 434 with the offset drain aperture 486, theprojection 420 and the flow channels 474 and 476 partially formed by theprojection 420 to direct the flow of beverage components around, but noton, the drain aperture, and the angled walls 440, 442 and 444 of theannular wall 434 of the funnel assembly 430 to direct liquid from asprayhead to the channels 474 and 476 with sufficient force anddirection to encourage mixing the powdered substance 500.

The proposed funnel assembly 430 as described herein provides theadvantage of retaining the powdered beverage making substance in thecavity 470 of the assembly 430 for mixing with water to dissolve it andform a liquid beverage or liquid beverage making ingredient. If thepowdered substance was placed directly into a typical brewing funnel,portions or particles of this substance might become attached, stuck tothe inside surfaces of the funnel body, or lodged in acute areas such asthe intersection between ribs, the wall, and an inside surface of afunnel bottom. This entrapment of beverage making substance particlescould be undesirable since it could transfer flavor, coloration, orother characteristics to the next batch of beverage made in the funnel.Additionally, if this material is entrapped on the funnel surface itcould attract or promote undesired organisms that could grow on theremaining nutritional components of the particles. For example, if thebeverage making substance includes sugar or other organic flavoringsthis material could provide a food source for the growth of suchorganisms. Alternatively and as noted above, the powdered substance mayclump or build up on top of the drain aperture 486 or its mesh cover 488in an undesired way if there is a significant amount of powderedsubstance built up, and the water may simply pool on top of the clumpinstead of dissolve the powdered substance. Therefore, the use of theproposed funnel assembly 430 as described herein eliminates or at leastreduces these issues.

In various embodiments, as the offset drainage aperture 486 will belocated along a portion of the bottom wall 446 that is angled, water orother liquid will naturally run towards the lowest point of the baseportion 460, adjacent the drain axis D. Accordingly, as powder sitsadjacent or around the offset drainage aperture 486, the powder will besubjected to more “sluicing” action from the liquid being drawn downwarddown from central axis A toward the drain axis D. In such a manner, thepowder that is located adjacent the offset drainage aperture 486 mayreceive more thorough mixing and agitation or incorporation of the dryproduct into the liquid. Contrarily, however, any powder in the lowestportion of the bottom wall 446 may experience a pooling effect, whereinwater or other liquid simply pools above and around the powder insteadof washing it along the angled portion of the bottom wall 446. Theproposed design reduces this undesired effect, as described herein.

In various embodiments, the base portion 460, including the angledbottom wall 446 and the projection 420 and the offset drainage aperture486, is configured in order to help avoid pooling and great moreagitation and mixing action to reduce or eliminate any powder or dryremnant. In various embodiments, for example, the projection 420 andchannels 474 and 476 may be configured to maximize control and influenceover the liquid motion during a brewing or mixing operation to avoidpooling, create sluicing, and/or maximize incorporation of all powder inthe finished beverage. In other embodiments, the angles X and Y of theangled walls 440, 442 and 444 can permit efficient mixing and optimizethe interaction of liquid and powdered substances when the velocity of aspray head 501 may be lower than desired (for instance, when using a teabrewer that has a lower velocity spray head).

In use, a beverage making apparatus can be used to produce a beveragewhich may not include freshly ground coffee or tea particles but may becomprised primarily of one or more ingredients including flavorings,sweeteners, colorants, aroma ingredients, ingredients to produce adesired texture as well as other ingredients to produce a resultantbeverage. The funnel assembly 430 has been produced to fit in arelatively conforming configuration with standard beverage makingequipment. When making a batch of beverage using a powdered or granularmaterial, the beverage making substance 500 can be placed in the cavity470 by pouring the material 500 into the funnel assembly 430 past therim 438. Specifically, the substance 500 may be poured into the cavity470 along or adjacent to the central axis A, causing the powderedsubstance 500 to fall to the base portion 460 and be partially directedto specific locations in the base portion 460 by the projection 420. Thefunnel 430 is then positioned in the brewer for receiving water 502 fromthe spray head 501. The water 502 is sprayed such that it will hit theinside surface 464 of the wall 434 of the funnel assembly 430 and thentravel down the angled walls (440, 442 and 444) along a flow path P tothe base portion 460, where it will be mixed with the substance 500retained in the channels 474 and 476 along either side of the projection420. Once the water contacts the beverage making substance it tends tobecome dissolved in this water and ingredient mixture. The liquidportion of the dissolved combined beverage ingredient and water flowsout of the funnel 430 through the drain opening 486 and mesh or gratematerial 488.

In various embodiments, the funnel assembly 430 may further be modifiedto optimize a filter-less tea or coffee brewing operation, as is knownin the industry. Other forms of modifying funnel assembly 430 to permitproduction of various beverages or liquids are envisioned within thescope of this disclosure.

In one preferred configuration, the volume of the base portion 460 issized and dimensioned to receive the volume of beverage making substancefor producing a batch of beverage. The volume should be compatible alsoto receive at least a portion of the water to be used in the mixing anddissolving of the beverage making substance generally to retain theentire volume of the mixture within the base portion 460 during thebeverage making process. During a preferred embodiment of the beveragemaking process, a separate quantity of water can be controllablydispensed by the beverage making apparatus into the receiving container.In other words, the receiving container positioned under the outletstructure 448 receives the liquid beverage ingredients from the funnelassembly as well as a separate volume of dilution water for mixing withthe beverage ingredients. The dilution water can be at ambient orreduced temperature to help promote the cooling of the beverage producedwith the funnel. As such, the use of multiple doses of water fordifferent purposes during this beverage making process can be optimizedto produce a consistent resultant beverage concentrate that is dilutedwith water. By dispensing the dilution water continuously during theprocess for combination with the concentrate, a generally consistentbeverage can be produced which is ready to drink after the beveragemaking process is completed. It is believed that the combination of theconcentrate with the dilution water results in a generally consistentmixing and a generally consistent brix measurement throughout the volumeof produced beverage collected in the container below the funnel.

As mentioned, the volume of the base portion 460 is generally sized anddimensioned to receive most or all of the beverage making substance andat least a portion of the beverage mixing water from the spray head. Itis recognized that the mixing water will generally be controllablydispensed in a stream, pulses of water, or any combination of stream,pulses, and/or pauses over a predetermined period of time. Since some ofthe beverage material will readily dissolve with this water, some of thebeverage making material dissolved in solution will flow out through thedrain. As such, a calculation can be made to determine the inflow ofwater and the outflow of beverage concentrate for use in calculating thevolume that should be used with a particular beverage making substance.

Also disclosed is the process as described for producing a beverageusing a funnel assembly, dissolvable beverage making substance, and aliquid to create a beverage concentrate or liquid beverage ingredientfor subsequent controlled mixing or dilution with a predetermined volumeof water or other beverage ingredient. Alternatively, the liquidbeverage ingredient could be dispensed over quantity of ice or into acontainer with reduced temperature water already provided in thecontainer.

While it might be preferred in some situations to utilize the dilutionfunctions of a beverage making apparatus, the funnel assembly can beused in a more simplified version that does not provide for dilution. Asa result, the concentrate would be dispensed over the ice melting theice, thereby reducing the temperature of the concentrate while it ismixed with the ice, and melting the ice so that the final ready to drinkbeverage is at a desired temperature and a desired diluted concentrationto achieve the ready to drink beverage end product.

We claim:
 1. A funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus,the funnel assembly comprising: a funnel having a body portion and abottom portion, the body portion including an annular wall forming aninside surface that at least partially defines an interior cavity toreceive one or more components of a beverage, the bottom portionincluding one or more ribs upon which a removable filter element can besupported in the interior cavity; and an insert receivable within theinterior cavity of the funnel when the removable filter element isremoved from the interior cavity, the insert including a base and formedto include an insert cavity configured to at least partially retain abeverage-making substance, the base including a drainage aperture thatpermits a fluid to flow through the insert.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the drainage aperture is offset from a central axis of theinsert.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the drainage aperture isapproximately half-way between the central axis and the annular wall ofthe insert.
 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the insert furtherincludes a flow guide on a bottom surface of the base that directs flowof fluid from the drainage aperture of the insert into the interiorcavity of the funnel.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a mesh gratingis disposed within the drainage aperture.
 6. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the funnel further includes a rim and wherein a portion of theinsert engages with the rim to retain the insert within the interiorcavity of the funnel.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the rimincludes one or more apertures that receive a portion of the insert toretain the insert within the interior cavity of the funnel.
 8. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the insert further includes a seconddrainage aperture that permits a fluid to flow through the insert, andwherein the drainage aperture is positioned to align with a central axisof the insert and the second drainage aperture is positioned annularlyoutward of the central axis.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein a meshgrating is disposed within at least one of the drainage aperture and thesecond drainage aperture.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thefunnel further includes an outlet structure coupled to the bottomportion, the outlet structure providing a flow path of fluid flowing outof the assembly and defining a slot for receiving fluid.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10, wherein the drainage aperture of the insert ispositioned above the slot of the outlet structure.
 12. The assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the drainage aperture is offset from a central axis ofthe insert and positioned to drain fluid into the slot of the outletstructure.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the insert includes oneor more positioning features on a bottom surface of the base of theinsert that prevents positioning the insert within the interior cavityof the funnel if the drainage aperture is not positioned above the slotin the outlet structure.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertis substantially conical in shape.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the insert extends substantially from a top of the funnel to thebottom portion of the funnel.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thebottom portion of the funnel includes two or more ribs, the two or moreribs spaced apart to form one or more channels therebetween, and whereinat least a portion of the base of the insert is configured to abutagainst one or more of the ribs.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe insert cavity of the insert is configured to retain a powderedbeverage substance to be mixed within the insert.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the funnel includes two or moreribs, the two or more ribs being spaced apart to form one or morechannels therebetween, and wherein the insert prevents thebeverage-making substance from entering the channels.
 19. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the insert includes a rim that is formed to includeone or more grooves, the grooves open to a top mouth of the body portionof the funnel to provide a flow path for liquid from the beveragebrewing apparatus to travel to bottom portion of the funnel withoutentering the insert when the insert is retained in the funnel.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert further includes a liquidshield that engages with a portion of the inside surface of the funnelor a rim of the funnel.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein theliquid shield includes one or more connection tabs that engage with therim of the funnel to retain the insert within the interior cavity of thefunnel.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the liquid shield ispositioned adjacent a handle of the funnel.
 23. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the insert further includes one or more handles connected tothe body portion, and wherein the one or more handles are spaced awayfrom the inside surface of the funnel when the insert is located withinthe cavity of the funnel.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theinsert includes an outside surface that is configured to at leastpartially engage with the inside surface of the funnel.